I started playing in chess tournaments in Chicago many decades ago, eventually attaining a national rating above 2400 and the USCF Life Master title. While living in Switzerland for three years, I also earned the FIDE Master title. I have been teaching chess for the past seven years; starting when my kids took an interest in chess competitions, and a couple of their school teammates persuaded me to coach them. A few of the scholastic players I taught have made US top-100 rating lists. My goal is to inspire many more kids to enjoy and appreciate the game.

Apart from chess, I have an educational background in Computer Science. I received my undergraduate degree from Northwestern University. Afterwards, I studied machine learning at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana where I earned a Master's degree.